UW commits big money to new assistant coaches

Washington is paying a hefty sum to help coach Steve Sarkisian overhaul his coaching staff.

And the biggest chunk is going to new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.

The school released details of Wilcox’s agreement on Saturday, nearly three weeks after his hiring was announced. The 35-year-old Wilcox will make $750,000 in his first season with the Huskies, part of a three-year deal he agreed to after leaving Tennessee after two seasons.

Wilcox was set to make $700,000 in 2012 with the Volunteers, but instead will receive a significant raise with the Huskies. He will make $800,000 in 2013 and $850,000 in 2014.

Washington released details contained in the memorandums of understanding that the Huskies’ new assistants have signed. Finalized contracts are still pending.

In total, Washington will commit $2.73 million in base salary to its assistants in 2012. That total does not include the approximately $1 million being paid to fired assistants Nick Holt, Mike Cox and Jeff Mills.

Washington’s assistants made about $2.3 million in base salary in 2011.

New defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi will receive $350,000 per year as part of a three-year deal. He’ll also get a $100,000 one-time payment and another $100,000 if he remains on staff all three years.

Incoming offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau, who will make $375,000 for the 2012 season, will see his base pay bump by $25,000 each of the next two years.

The final two additions to Sarkisian’s staff will make significantly less, each with only two-year deals. New linebackers coach Peter Sirmon will make $225,000 in 2012 and see a raise of $25,000 in 2013, while secondary coach Keith Heyward will make $150,000 in 2012 and $160,000 in 2013.

All the assistants will be eligible for bonuses based on team success, such as reaching the Pacific-12 Conference title game, appearing in a bowl game or appearing in a Bowl Championship Series game.

Three assistants who remain from last season also will receive raises. Johnny Nansen, who is shifting priorities to recruiting coordinator and special teams coach, will get a bump to $200,000 in 2012 and $225,000 in 2013. Wide receivers coach Jimmy Dougherty will get a raise to $190,000 and running backs coach Joel Thomas will make $190,000 this year and $205,000 in 2013.

Sarkisian’s contract will pay him $2.25 million in base salary for the 2012 season.

“I think the state of college football and where we’re headed it’s almost the going rate for successful programs,” Sarkisian said. “I think (athletic director) Scott (Woodward) recognizes that, and if you want to get a top-tier defensive coordinator that’s where we’re headed.”

ALL-STAR GAMES

Louisiana Tech’s Lennon Creer scored on a 9-yard run with 47 seconds remaining, giving the West a 24-17 victory in the 87th East-West Shrine all-star game.

Quarterbacks Chandler Harnish of Northern Illinois and Tyler Hansen of Colorado had short TD runs for the West, which rallied from an early 10-0 deficit at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Elsewhere, Washington’s Erik Folk kicked field goals of 26 and 45 yards to help the National team beat the American team, 20-14, in the inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, in Carson, Calif.

Eastern Washington’s Bo Levi Mitchell threw a touchdown pass for the American squad.

Super Bowl-winning coaches Tom Flores (American), who led the Seahawks from 1992-94, and Dick Vermeil (National) served as coaches.

EXTRA POINTS

Georgia cornerback Sanders Commings was arrested on a domestic violence charge early Saturday after he allegedly struck his girlfriend in the face on a street corner in downtown Athens, Ga. … Bob Elliott, who served the past two seasons as secondary coach at Iowa State, has joined Notre Dame’s staff to be in charge of safeties.